The Lagonda shocked the world in 1978 with its bold design and electronic instrumentation. A truly stunning design.
It was in the October of 1976 that Aston Martin revealed a new shape Lagonda which had solid state digital instrumentation that justified it as being a new product. With initial production levels at one a week it wasnt until 1979 that the first cars was delivered and in 1982 the Lagonda was cleared for sale in the USA.
In 1984, a Long Wheelbase Tickford Limousine version was announced that had a TV in the front as well as the back.
The Lagonda was updated again in 1987 when William Aston rounded off the edges of the car giving it a fresh new look. New enhancements included a re-designed nose where six smaller lights replace the pop-up headlamps and new 16 inch alloy wheels. A total of 645 chassis were built before the end of production in 1989, each car required about 2 200 man hours and only about 25 were built per year for the U.S. market.
In Detail
| submitted by |
Richard Owen |
| price $ |
$150 000 USD |
| engine |
V8 |
| valvetrain |
DOHC |
| displacement |
5340 cc / 325.9 in³ |
| bore |
100 mm / 3.94 in |
| stroke |
85 mm / 3.35 in |
| compression |
9.5:1 |
| power |
242.4 kw / 325.1 bhp @ 5600 rpm |
| specific output |
60.88 bhp per litre |
| bhp/weight |
bhp per tonne |
| torque |
508.4 nm / 375.0 ft lbs @ 4500 rpm |
| body / frame |
Aluminum |
| driven wheels |
Front Engine / RWD |
| front tires |
235/70VR-15 |
| rear tires |
235/70VR-15 |
| front brakes |
Vented Discs w/Vacuum Assist |
| f brake size |
x 274 mm / x 10.8 in |
| r brake size |
x 264 mm / x 10.4 in |
| front wheels |
F 38.1 x 15.2 cm / 15.0 x 6.0 in |
| rear wheels |
R 38.1 x 15.2 cm / 15.0 x 6.0 in |
| steering |
Rack & Pinion w/Power Assist |
| gear ratios |
:1 |
Auction Sales History
1 of 645 Aston Martin Lagondas built total from 1978-89. 1 of 56 built for 1986. Believed to be 17,927 original miles. 5.3 liter 280 HP DOHC V-8 engine with 302 ft/lbs of torque. Factory claimed 143 MPH top speed. Two owners from new. Original owner’s manual. Ownership history. Original maintenance booklet. Freshly serviced at the Aston Martin dealer. New belts. New water pump. Rebuilt air conditioning. Clean CarFax. CAN NOT BE REGISTERED IN CALIFORNIA.
Auction Source: The Daytime Auction in Monterey by Mecum
Chassis number ‘13493’ comes with a large history file containing the service booklet, assorted correspondence and numerous bills/invoices recording regular maintenance and servicing by Aston Martin Lagonda and various specialists. The most recent invoice, issued by AML in May 2011, is for a 10,000-mile/annual service, a replacement oil cooler and extensive repairs to the sills and other lower body sections at a cost of £13,191. Finished in Suffolk Red with magnolia leather upholstery, and described as in immaculate condition, this well documented Lagonda is offered with the aforementioned history file, owner’s handbook, numerous expired MoT certificates, UK V5C document and fresh MoT.
Auction Source: 2013 Les Grandes Marques du Monde au Grand Palais
The 15th Series 2 produced, this early example came into the present ownership in 1987. The car has seen relatively little use since then, spending most of that time garaged, and has covered fewer than 600 miles over the last four years. It has been extensively worked on during those four years to rectify minor faults, which included replacing the starter motor, correcting the cruise control system, checking valve clearances, adjusting the air conditioning system and thoroughly checking the underside. We are advised that retaining the car in its original condition, interior included, has been given top priority and that there does not appear to be any problem with the sills. At time of last MoT (August 2010) one of the rear brake discs and the handbrake pads were replaced. Finished in Tourmaline Blue, the car is described as in generally good condition and offered with sundry restoration invoices, current road fund licence, MoT to August 2011 and Swansea V5.
Auction Source: 2010 Collectors’ Motor Cars at Goodwood Revival by Bonhams
The first car was delivered in 1979 with US sales beginning in 1982. A total of 645 chassis were built before the end of production in 1989. Painted dark blue over tan hides with dark blue piping, this Lagonda boasts new Continental radial tires on factory alloy wheels. It also features the unique-to-Lagonda glass sunroof over the rear passenger compartment. The same is true today as thirty years earlier: the Aston Martin Lagonda continues to make quite a statement about its owner. In this case, it is one of English elegance with modern performance and utter uniqueness.
Auction Source: RM Auctions’ 2010 Sports & Classics of Monterey
Keyword: 1978 Aston Martin Lagonda Series II
